A Tibetan immigrant and former sheepherder now working as a city Uber driver just landed a $7,000 gift from the company as one of the first recipients of its new philanthropic program.

Tashi Choephel is part of a group of Tibetans trying to open a community center in Queens.

His group, the Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey, bought a building in Woodside for $4.1 million in 2012 but has been struggling to come up with the additional $4 million needed for renovations.

So when Choephal found out about Uber’s new program, which grants money to community projects involving its drivers, he jumped at the chance to apply for the funding.

“I am so grateful and proud,” said Chophel, 35, who lived in a yak-wool tent with his family when he was a boy, went to college in India and started working as an Uber driver in 2013.

Choephel said there are at least 200 Tibetan Uber drivers working in New York City.

Each month, all Uber drivers will be able to submit ideas for a cause that is important to them.

Choephel is one of three drivers who won this first month. The ride-share company plans to offer New York City drivers up to $20,000 in funding each month.Tashi Choephel with his Uber vehicleEllis Kaplan